Patience and Affection

#35 - ❝A Journey To The Heart❞

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the landscape as Wayne and Maxwell drove down the winding roads toward the coast. The car hummed steadily, filling the silence between them as they both quietly absorbed the moment. They had just crossed the final stretch of their journey, heading to the port where they would take a boat to Palawan.

"Excited ka na ba, Max?" Wayne asked, glancing over at Maxwell, who was gazing out the window at the passing scenery.

"Oo naman," Maxwell replied, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Pero kinakabahan din ako. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang magiging reaksyon ng mga magulang mo."

"Don't worry. Sinabi ko na sa kanila tungkol sa atin," Wayne assured him, focusing on the road ahead. "Masaya sila na makikilala ka nila."

Maxwell let out a small breath of relief, but the nerves still lingered. Meeting Wayne's parents felt like a huge step in their relationship, and he couldn't shake off the anxiety completely.

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After a while, they arrived at the port, where they parked the car and made their way to the waiting area. The boat to Palawan was set to depart soon, and the air was filled with the scent of the sea, mingled with the chatter of other travelers.

"Ang ganda dito," Maxwell remarked as they walked towards the dock, the water glistening under the afternoon sun. "Na-miss ko rin yung ganitong tanawin."

"Yeah, it's different from the city," Wayne agreed, carrying their bags as they approached the boat. "Palawan has a way of making you feel at peace."

As they boarded the boat, they found a spot on the upper deck where they could enjoy the view. The boat slowly pulled away from the dock, and the city began to shrink in the distance, replaced by the vast expanse of the ocean.

"Wayne, sa totoo lang, natatakot ako," Maxwell confessed, breaking the comfortable silence between them.

"Sa parents ko?" Wayne asked, turning to face Maxwell fully.

Maxwell nodded. "Oo. Gusto kong magustuhan nila ako. Ayoko na isipin nilang hindi ako sapat para sa'yo."

"Max, walang ibang tao na mas bagay sa'kin kundi ikaw," Wayne said firmly, reaching out to take Maxwell's hand. "I know my parents will see how amazing you are."

Maxwell squeezed Wayne's hand, feeling a bit more reassured by his words. "Thank you, Wayne. I needed to hear that."

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As the boat sailed on, they found themselves wrapped in the beauty of the journey—the rhythmic waves, the cool sea breeze, and the soft warmth of the setting sun. It was a moment of calm before the excitement of meeting Wayne's family, and they both cherished it.

It wasn't long before the island of Palawan came into view, its lush greenery and towering cliffs standing out against the azure waters. The sight was breathtaking, and Maxwell couldn't help but feel a sense of awe as they approached.

"Ang ganda nga dito, Wayne," Maxwell whispered, leaning closer to the railing to get a better view.

"Wait until you see the beaches," Wayne grinned, clearly proud of his hometown. "My parents are excited to show you around."

As the boat docked, they were greeted by the warm tropical air of Palawan. Wayne led the way as they disembarked, navigating through the small crowd of locals and tourists. Waiting at the end of the dock were Wayne's parents, who waved enthusiastically as they spotted the two boys.

"Max, there they are," Wayne pointed out, and Maxwell felt his heart skip a beat as he saw them.

Wayne's parents were beaming with joy, clearly excited to see their son and to meet Maxwell. As they approached, Wayne's mother immediately pulled him into a tight hug.

"Wayne, anak! Na-miss ka namin," she said, her voice filled with warmth.

"Ma, Pa, this is Maxwell," Wayne introduced, gesturing to Maxwell who stood a bit nervously beside him.

"Magandang hapon po," Maxwell greeted politely, offering a shy smile.

"Maxwell, welcome to Palawan," Wayne's father said with a kind smile, extending his hand for a handshake. "We heard many good things about you."

Maxwell shook his hand, feeling a bit more at ease with the friendly reception. "Maraming salamat po sa pagtanggap niyo sa akin."

"Of course! Wayne talks about you all the time," Wayne's mother added, giving Maxwell a warm smile. "We're just happy to finally meet you."

As they made their way to the family car, Maxwell began to relax. Wayne's parents were kind and welcoming, and the initial tension he felt started to fade. The drive to the family home was filled with light conversation, with Wayne's parents asking Maxwell about his studies, his interests, and how he and Wayne met.

By the time they arrived at the house, Maxwell felt a lot more comfortable. The house itself was beautiful—a charming blend of traditional Filipino architecture and modern touches, surrounded by lush gardens and with a stunning view of the ocean.

"Wow, ang ganda ng bahay niyo," Maxwell said as they stepped inside.

"Salamat, Maxwell," Wayne's mother replied, clearly pleased by his appreciation. "Feel at home, okay? We have a guest room ready for you."

As they settled in, Wayne took Maxwell on a quick tour of the house, showing him the rooms, the garden, and eventually leading him out to the beach just beyond their backyard.

"This is where I spent most of my childhood," Wayne said as they walked along the shore, the sand soft beneath their feet. "It's one of the reasons I love it here so much."

"I can see why," Maxwell murmured, taking in the serene beauty of the place. "It's like paradise."

"Yeah," Wayne agreed, slipping his hand into Maxwell's. "And now I get to share it with you."

Maxwell smiled, leaning into Wayne as they continued their walk. The worries he had earlier seemed so far away now, replaced by the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves, and the comfort of Wayne's presence. This was a new chapter for them, and Maxwell couldn't wait to see where it would lead.

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